5 And in his lap a heap of coin he told; told > counted 6 For of his wicked pelf his god he made, pelf > money, cash, "filthy lucre" 7 And to hell himself for money sold; 8 Accursed usury was all his trade, 9 And right and wrong alike in equal balance weighed. 104.28 His life was nigh vnto deaths doore yplast, 2 And thred-bare cote, and cobled shoes he ware, Ne scarse good morsell all his life did tast, 4 But both from backe and belly still did spare, To fill his bags, and richesse to compare; 6 Yet chylde ne kinsman liuing had he none To leaue them to; but thorough daily care 8 To get, and nightly feare to lose his owne, He led a wretched life vnto him selfe vnknowne. 1 His life was nigh to death's door placed, 2 And threadbare coat, and cobbled shoes, he wore; cobbled > mended (usually repeatedly) 3 Nor scarce good morsel all his life did taste, 4 But both from back and belly still did spare, still > always, continually 5 To fill his bags, and richesse to compare; richesse > wealth compare > acquire, get 6 Yet child nor kinsman living had he none 7 To leave them to; but through daily care 8 To get, and nightly fear to lose, his own, 9 He led a wretched life, to himself unknown. life, to himself unknown > [existence, not even realizing it; or, with a change in punctuation: life to himself, unknown (he was a solitary miser). Spenser may have intended both senses] 104.29 Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffise, 2 Whose greedy lust did lacke in greatest store, Whose need had end, but no end couetise, 4 Whose wealth was want, whose plenty made him pore, Who had enough, yet wished +euer more+; 6 A vile disease, and eke in foote and hand A grieuous gout tormented him full sore, 8 That well he could not touch, nor go, nor stand: Such one was _Auarice_, the +fourth+ of this faire band. 5 euer more > euermore _1609_ 9 fourth > forth _1590_ 1 Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffice, wight > creature 2 Whose greedy lust did lack in greatest store, lust > desire lack in greatest store > (A proverb: He who desires the most lacks the most; lack = want, store = measure) 3 Whose need had end, but no end covetise, no end covetise > [whose covetousness had no end] 4 Whose wealth was want, whose plenty made him poor, 5 Who had enough, yet wished ever more; wished ever > [ever wished] 6 A vile disease, and eke in foot and hand eke > moreover, in addition 7 A grievous gout tormented him full sore, full > exceedingly 8 That well he could not touch, nor go, nor stand: That > [So that] go > walk 9 Such one was Avarice, the fourth of this fair band. 104.30